Dr. Hari Osofsky is faculty director of the Energy Transition Lab, a new project of the U of MN Institute on the Environment. Dick spoke with her recently about why the Lab was set up, what they hope to accomplish, and why energy efficiency and renewables are so important. You can learn more about the Institute on the Environment here.

Ever wonder about how food trends get started? Bob Carter chatted Dec. 5 with Kelly Hensel, senior digital editor at the Institute of Food Technologists, about what goes into predicting food trends, and what flavors are 'hot' for 2015. You can learn more about their work here.

Lee Radzak is historic site manager of Split Rock Lighthouse, a position he's held for over 30 years. He spoke with Dick recently about the lighthouse, his work, and the event Nov. 10 to commemorate the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. You can learn more about the lighthouse here.

Dick spoke Sept. 12 with Dave Zumeta, executive director of the MN Forest Resources Council, and Shawn Perich, member representing game species management, about the council, what it does, and how it affects our forests and businesses locally. The council is meeting Sept. 17 at North House Folk School in Grand Marais beginning at 9:30 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. You can learn more about the work of the MN Forest Resources Council here.

The U of MN Solar Vehicle Project is an organization of undergraduate engineering students who research, design and construct a solar vehicle every two years. Jake Herbers, a student leader with the team, joined Dick Aug. 1 to talk about some of the challenges involved in constructing and racing a solar car. You can learn more about the project here.

How do you feed a six-person crew on a three-year mission to Mars? Buck spoke July 11 with Dr. Grace Douglas, project scientist on Advanced Food Technology at NASA, about the challenges and considerations in creating and optimizing food for people working and living in extreme environments.

Buck chatted June 27 with Dennis Larson...he's the guy who gets to choose the new foods offered each year at the Minnesota State Fair. With 300-400 applications each year for only a few spots, it's tough competition. Listen and learn about some of the yummy new offerings this summer, and how the selection process works. The fair runs Aug. 21 through Labor Day, Sept. 1. You can see the complete list of new foods here.

Jerry Eliason is a shipwreck hunter who, most recently, discovered the Henry B. Smith in Lake Superior. Now he's embarking on a new project, to find U-656, the first German U-boat sunk by U.S. forces in World War II. He spoke with Dick June 13 to explain why and how they're conducting the search. You can learn more about the Kickstarter project to fund it here.

Rep. Jim Oberstar, who represented the Eighth congressional district in Minnesota for 36 years, died last week at age 79. Lee Munnich, director of the national Center for Excellence in Rural Safety at the Humphrey School of Public Afffairs in Minneapolis, joined Dave TerSteeg May 9 to talk about Mr. Oberstar and his legacy in transportation. There are a few fun personal stories here, as well.